Button-hole attachment for sewing-machines



(ModeL) 3 Shets-Sheet 2.

S. J. BAIRD.

BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES. N0. 320,528. Patent 0 ug e 23 1885.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(ModeL) S. J. BAIRD. I BUTTON HOLE AT-TAGHMBNT FOR SEWING MACHINES. No. 320,528.

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' UNITED STATES PATENT Orrics.

SAMUEL J. BAIRD, OF COVINGTON, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO THE EUREKA MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

BUTTON-HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 320,528, dated June 23,1885.

' Application filedJuly28,18S'2. (Model) T aZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. BAIRD, of the city of Covington, in Kenton county, and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buttonholing Attachments for Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

, My invention consists in improvements of various parts of the button-hole attachments [O for sewing-machines for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 242,248 were issued to me May 31, 188i.

The accompanying drawings are a part of this specification. Figure 1 is a plan View of my improved device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, the side of the shell or cover being partly broken away, so as to show theinterior. Fig.

3 is a plan view,the cover and the upper member of the cloth-clamp being removed. Fig. 4

is a plan view,in which some parts are removed that appear in Fig. 3. Fig. 5is a plan View,

in which still otherparts are removed, so as to show those below. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the bottom plate, a portion being broken away to show the parts beneath, which are traced partly in dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section through the attachment on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. Sis

an elevation, some ofthe parts being removed,

0 so as to show those beyond. Fig. 9 is atransverse section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 1. Fig. 10

is a transverse section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 2.

In Figs land 2 the cloth-clamp appears in position. It consists of two strips of platesteel, A and B, springtempered, and fastened together by a screw at 28. The other end is formed into jaws for holding the cloth, as in my former patented device. In the lower 40 piece, A, and near its shoulder a, Figs. 2an l 7 a loop or staple, C, is made fast. This passes up through a slot in the upperpiece, B,

as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 7. Above thelatter piece a curved wedge, D, Figs. 1, 7, and 9,

passes through the loop in the staple 0, part of which is broken off in Fig. 9, so as to show the whole length of the wedge in position.

The wedge is bent into the arc of a circle, the

center of which is the screw 28, with which it is connected by a radial arm, .e.. The operating handle or post 11 is made fast to one end of the wedge, while the other end terminates in such a curve as prevents escape from the staple. The wedge being, by the operator, pressed home, it forces the upper piece of the 5 5 clamp down upon the lower, and thus fastens the fabric which is interposed between them. Its withdrawal in like manner removes the pressure and releases the cloth. The central screw, 28, not only affords a pivotal point for 6c the movements of the wedge, but, passing through the upper clamp-piece, B, into the lower, A, fastens them together. Between this screw and the staple Gis a knob or stud, a, Figs. 2, 3, 7, projecting from the upper surface of the clamp-pieceA and pressing against the under surface of the piece B. This stud is made of such height as to lift slightly the forward portion of the upper piece when released from pressure by the withdrawal of the wedge "D, thus separating the jaws of the clamp to receive the fabric to be operated on.

The drivinglever I, Figs. 1 and 2, is operated, as shown and described in my former patent, by being connected with the needle- 7 5 bar of the sewing-machine. Fulerumed at C, its vertical arm p passes freely down through slots in the shell and the oscillator O and engages in a hole, If, in the carrier-plate. (See Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 7.) The pawl-carrier and pawls are shown in position in Fig. A bush, 7, Fig. is inserted into the bottom plate and rises a short distance above it. This bush serves, on the one hand, as a bearing into which the spindle of the pinion E, Figs. 4c and 7, is inserted, and on the other as a guide to the pawl-carrier Linits longitudinal movements, by means of a slot, 5, (see Figs. and 7,) in the end of the carrier, which embraces the raised sides of the bush. At the other end 0 a corresponding slot is out in the carrier, partly represented by dotted lines at (i. Thisslot in like manner embraces the pin (1, by means of which that end of the carrier is held true in itslongitudinal movements, as reciprocated 5 in harmony with the lever P p, through its point, engaged in the hole b In the present device the flanges on the pawl-carrier L, which in my former patent served to hold and guide the pawls, are disrco pensed with. Two slots (shown partly in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and marked 2 2) are cut transversely into the edges of the carrier. Into these the flanges 3 3 of the double pawl enter, and by their means, thus engaged, the double pawl is made to advance or recede with the carrier as it reciprocates. The double pawl is also 'furnished with the upturned flanges 22 22, (see Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7,) one on each side, parallel to the sides of the attachment. The forward ends of these flanges 22 22 are designed to engage successively with the opposite sides of the ratchet-wheel F as the pawl is adjusted from side to side, its flanges 3 3 sliding in the slots 2 2. To accomplish this, the pinf is riveted into the bottom of the double pawl T, Figs t, 5, and 7, and, passing down through the slot 18 in the pawl carrier L and an opening, 9, (see Fig. 6,) in the bottom plate, enters the slot on in the ad justment-plate K, which slot it traverses in the longitudinal movements of the carrierand pawl. This adj ustmeut-plate K has wings 12 1.2 at its forward end, between which a circular enlargement, 10, in the adjustment-la Ver 8 engages. Thus, the lever 8 being, by the operator, set over to the one side or the other, or to the middle, of the bottom plate, the adjustment-plate,swinging on the fulcrumscrew i, (see Figs. (Sand 7,) takes acorresponding position, and the pin f engaging in the slot m, as already stated, it and the double pawl T with it are laterally adjusted so as to engage the one side of the ratchet-wheel F or the other, as in my already-patented device.

The other pawl-piece,16, Figs. 4and 5, is pivoted on the pawl carrier by a screw, 4. The

united ratchet and cam wheels M N, with the former of which it is to engage, revolve on a post, q, which projects upward from the end of the adjustment-plate K, and passes up through an opening in the bottom plate, H,Figs. G and 7. As already explained, the pawl-carrier slides on this post, and, carrying with it the pawl 16, the latter is thus held in the same position in relation to the ratchet-wheel, notwithstanding the lateral adjustments to which the latter is subject, in order to operate alternately on the one side and the other and on the ends of the button-hole. These adjustments take place coincident with those of the double pawl, already described; for the ratchet and cam wheels being pivoted on the one end of the adjustment-plate K, and the guide-pin f of the double pawl T being engaged in the slot in the other end, and the plate itself being fulcrumed on the screw i between these aforesaid parts, the setting of the forwardend in one direction adjusts the other end, and with it the ratchet and cam wheels M and N, mounted on their pivot q, in the opposite direction. These adj ustments are made, as already described, by means of the hand-operating lever 8 and its thumb-piece J. This hand-lever 8, moving horizontally in the arc of a circle, is laterally adjustable by first giving thereto a gentle downward pressure on the thumb-piece, by means of which the pin or screw point 14 may be disengaged from one of the slots 13 13 13,

and entered into another at the will of the operator, the elastic upward pressure of the hand-lever 8 causing the pin to enter the slot and holding it there. The screw-pin 14 is mounted on a set-nut, 15, for setting it at any desired point in the slot which is cut in the lever 8. In the adjacent end of the bottom plate three slots, 13 13 13, are cut, the two outer ones being on diagonal lines, widening from the end of the piece. Into one or other of these slots the pin 14 enters, and according to the position in which the pin is set on the lever,and the consequent point at whichit enters the slots 13, is the levers angle of ad justment greater or less. Thus the distance between the sides of the button-hole is in creased or diminished at the pleasure of the operator. Fig. 10 is an end view of the bottom plate, H, with the lever 8, the set-nut15, and set screw and pin 14 in position at the middle of the plate H.

The interrupted revolution of the ratchet and cam M N is accomplished by the longitudinal reciprocation of the pawl 16, Figs. 4 and 5, the operating-flange X of which is thus caused alternately to' engage and release the ratchet. This pawl differs from that shown in my former patent by oscillating upon the pivotscrew 4, instead of reciprocating laterally. This pivot-screw, on which the pawl oscillates and by which it is drawn forward with the advance of the pawl-carrier, is at the forward end of the pawl and toone side of its central longitudinal line, while the op erating pawl point is at the rear end and toward the opposite edge of the pawl. The pawl is held down in position by the intermediate plate, 17, Figs. 3 and 4,.which rests upon and protects the pawl from interfering movements of other parts. The friction induced by the movement of the pawl under the pressure of'this piece as the pawl advances longitudinally causes a tendency to adjust itself so as to balance on the pivot-center 4. The pawl flange or operatingprojection X is thus caused to tend toward the central line, on which the ratchet and cam wheels M N are placed. This, in coincidence with the form of the guiding-slot u of the pawl, as explained in the former patent, makes sure the engage ment of the flange X with the ratchet-wheel M, while in the return movement the friction causes a like tendency of the flange away from the ratchet-wheel, thus preventing any drag action in the retreat of the pawl.

The revolving cam-wheel N alternately engagesthe opposite flanges or posts, t t, Figs. 4 and 8, of the clamp slide or oscillator O, swinging on the bearing of the pinion E, as hereinafter described. In the present example the posts it tare inserted into the clampslide, the ends projecting through and fastened with set-nuts 29 29, Figs. 3 and 8, thus providing for an occasional change of the side presented to the cam, and so obviating the effects of wear. The forward pin, 31, and flange 30, on the under side of the bottom plate, Fig. 7, are designed to enter certain holes in the cloth-plate of the sewing-machine, so as to keep the attachment in accurate relation to the needle-hole of the sewing-machine. The rear end of the bottom plate, H, is slightly raised above the cloth-plate of the machine and rests on the nuts 24, Figs. 7, 8, and 9, which are screwed upon the projecting ends of the two opposite rear screws by which the shell or cover and bottom plate are fastened together. Clearance is thus made for the necessary movements of the directinglever 8 and the adjustment-plate K.

The oscillation of the clamp-slide by means of the revolution of the ratchet and cam, as already described, takes place upon the center 7, Fig. 5, in connection with the revolution of the pinion E and its connected parts, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7, and 8. The pinion E, the collar or shoulder E E and ratchetwheel F are all made fast to one shaft or spindle passing through the center of each. The collar is interposed between the ratchet and pinion, and its diameter is such that the bush Q in the clamp-slide 0 may pass over the pinion and fit upon the collar, which is thus made the center of oscillation for the clampslide. The latter piece is furnished with upturned longitudinal parallel flanges 20 20, Figs. 3 and 8. Between these the lower member of the shaft A (partly shown in dotted lines) is accurately fitted. Its upper member is the rack, which is superimposed and riveted to the lower, and is in the same plane with the pinion and engaged with it. The shaft A 'thus held by the flanges of the oscillating clamp-slide O, is oscillated with it, and, being a continuous and inelastic extension of the lower clamp-piece, A, the oscillation is com-' mon to both, each bearing upon the one intermediate center, 7, in the pinion E.

The parts being thus constructcd,the following is the mode ofoperation: The attachment having been made fast in position on the sewinginaehine, the lever P is connected in any convenient way with the needle-bar. The fabric is inserted between the jaws of the clamp and fastened by pushing home the wedge O. The guide-lever 8 is then, by means of the thumb-piece J, set in the middle position and the sewing-machine setin motion. The perpendicular reciprocation of the needle-bar carries the connected end of the driving-lever]? with it and induces a consequenthorizontal oscillation of the other a'rm of the leverp. The'point of this being engaged in the hole I)" of the pawl-carrier, a longitudinal reciprocating motion is imparted to the carrier and the pawls borne with it. The single pawl 16 is thus alternately brought to engage with the ratchet-wheel M and to release it, thus engaging each tooth in succession. The cam, being united as one piece with the ratchet, is thus with it revolved interruptedly, thus imparting areciprocating oscillation to the clamp-slide O and to the clamp, as just explained. By this means the cloth is carried back and forth laterallyunder the needle, and a series of stitches planted in it; and since the guidelever 8, and with it the adj ustmcnt-plate K and ratchet M and cam N, are on the center position, the stitches thus formed lie across the central line of the button-hole, thus partly barring the end. In this position (the double-pawl T having its guide-pin fin the slot on of the adjustmentplate K, which is now on its central position) neither side of the ratchet F is engaged by the pawl, no feed-motion takes place, and hence the stitches as formed are laid one upon the other. The lever 8 is now set over so that its steady-pin 14 enters the slot 13 next the operator. The'forward end of the adj ustmentplate K is thus brought in the same direction, and through the pin f, as engaged in the slot m, the double pawl is set over, sliding by its flanges 3 3 in the slots 2 2, so that its farther pawl-point is brought near and ready to engage with the ratchet-wheel F. At the same time the farther end of the adjustn1ent-plate K, fulcrumed on the center i, is set over in the opposite direction, carrying with it the ratchet and cam wheels M N. Motion being nowimparted to the sewing-machine, the reciprocating action of the pawl 16 induces the oscillation of the clamp-slide upon the new center'thus occupied by the bearing-post q. The stitches now formed by the needle are thus set over a little from the line of those already made. At the same time the pawl T, engaging with the ratchet F on its farther side, the pinion and rack are thus brought into action and an interrupted feed-motion imparted to the clamp, which is moved slightly forward at each reciprocation of the needle. The result is a series of stitches laid along one side of the button-hole, precisely as in my former patented device. When the farther end of the button hole has thus been reached, the lever is again set on the middle position. The double pawl is thus disengaged from the ratchet and the feed motion ceases, while the ratchet and camwheel M N, revolving on thecentral position, so oscillate the cloth-clamp that a series of stitches is set across the center line of the button-hole, thus fastening or barring that end. The lever 8 is now set over, so that the steady-pin 14 enters the farther slot 13. Y The position of the post q is thus laterally changed by virtue of the shifting of the adjustmentplate K, into which it is fastened; and the position from which the cam N engages with the posts of the oscillator 0 being thus altered, the oscillation of the clamp and cloth under the needle takes place on the other side of the middle line of the button-hole and adjacent to it. At the same time the new position of the forward end of the adjustmentplate K, acting upon the double pawl T through the pinf and slot at, brings the near flange, 22, to bear upon the near side of the ratchet F, thus reversing the feed-motion, as effected by the pinion and rack. The result is a new line of stitches adjacent and parallel to that already formed,

ICO

while the clamp returns to its original longitudinal position, when the lever 8 may again be set in the middle position, and a few more stitches across the end finish the button-hole.

What I claim as new and my invention, for which I desire Letters Patent, is-

1. The directinglever 8, provided with a slot within which is an adjnstmentmut and set-screw, the upper portion of the latter serving to engage in the diagonal side slots and straight central slot in the bottom plate, in combination with a cloth-clamp and its oscillating mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. The slotted pawl 16, pivoted to and oscillating on the pa\\'l-carrier L, and controlled by the post q, in combination with a ratchet and cam wheel, and means for reciprocating the pawl-carrier, substantial] y as and for the purposes described.

3. The pawl 16 and reciprocating pawl-carrier L, one end ofwhich slides on afixed bearing and the other on an adj nstahle bearin q, with the ratchet and cam wheels M N, in combination with a clotlrclamp, and devices for its reciprocation, substantially as and for the pnr- 

